November 11, 2005

 

UK abattoirs allow older cattle under new mad cow disease rules

 

 

UK abattoirs have started to allow cattle over thirty months of age lately, under the country's new mad cow disease, or BSE rules.

 

In early November this year, the UK replaced a rule excluding animals over that age with a testing system used in other EU countries. This allowed older animals into the food chain, subject to a strict BSE testing procedure. However, the UK would continue to ban all cattle born before August 1, 1996, from the food and feed chain.

 

The new rules meant cattle supplies for food in the UK would increase and potentially lower prices for domestic food processors, and eventually the rest of the EU.

 

It also marked an important step for the EU meat market. Beef and veal consumption exceeded EU production for the first time in 20 years during 2003, and was expected to rise further by 2012, according to the European Commission (EC).

 

In addition, EU food processors have been seeing lower profits due to rising cost of meat supplies and other inputs this year.

 

Meanwhile, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a list of abattoirs licensed to slaughter and process cattle aged over thirty months.

 

Approved abattoirs must also ensure all cattle aged over thirty months entering the food chain tested negative for BSE.

 

The changes were expected to eventually lead to the EC easing import restrictions on UK beef.

 

Besides endorsing the UK's testing system, the EC also cited the sharp fall in BSE cases within Britain and other EU countries, as reasons why the ban on British beef might be lifted.

 

Meanwhile, the EC forecasts beef and veal production in the bloc would fall to about 7.6 million tonnes by 2012. Tight domestic supplies and steady demand meant food processors would have to depend on more imports.

 

Under the new UK system, carcasses would have to remain at abattoirs until they have tested negative for BSE. Removal of specified parts considered to be at risk of the disease, including spinal cords, would still be practised.